Message of Easter holiday message of life

April 7, 2006

By Judy Brandon: Local columnist

Easter eggs … Easter bunnies … Easter baskets … Easter egg hunts … Easter bonnet? What about that green Easter grass that comes in a variety of colors these days? I even made my first trip to Easter, Texas, last week. What does Easter mean?

This is my favorite season of the year. Some call this season spring break, while some call the season pagan. Others refer to it as Easter season.

From a Christian perspective, Easter season is the celebration of the Resurrection Day when Jesus rose from the grave! At this time of year, I gratefully and reverently think about the sacrifice Christ made on the cross.

The cross has great significance. For the Christian, it is during the Christmas that we contemplate Christ’s birth. Christ came to Earth, born as a baby so he could live among us so we could know him. But at Easter I think about his resurrection. Without his resurrection, Christmas would mean nothing. If Christ were born as a man and died as a man, he would be as any other man. He would be no different than other good men who have lived but who have died. That is why Easter is all about Christ and the cross.

The cross points to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. People accept that Jesus was an exemplary man. People are familiar with the Sermon on the Mount and the moral teachings that Jesus gave. Most people can quote at least one or two of the Ten Commandments. Many people readily cite “do unto others” as a scripture verse. Some may recall from childhood days in Sunday school that Jesus walked on the water, healed the sick and advocated turning the other check. Many people at least believe that Jesus was a great historical figure.

But what about the cross? Why is the cross the most significant aspect of the season?

Jesus died on the cross for the sins of mankind, and his supreme sacrifice of love on the cross was the ultimate act that would forever bridge the gulf between God and man. He made a way for each person to know God personally.

Millions through the ages have come to know Jesus because of what he did on the Cross. The very testimony of that event over 2000 years ago has endured through sophisticated communications, time and distance. That testimony of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross has become real in the hearts of millions, no matter what culture or nationality, what level of income or what stance in society. Both rich and poor call him Savior, both famous and infamous point to his saving grace, and both strong and feeble know of his comfort and peace.

Jesus answered that question: “I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25) Revelation 21:4 says that in heaven, “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Death, affliction and hurting will all be part of the way things used to be!
A preacher once said that he thanked God there are no graves hollow out the hillsides of heaven! That was all settled on the first Easter Sunday morning.

The message of Easter is that Jesus is alive! It is in his resurrection, and the certainty of eternal life that we can all see the significance of the cross.

Judy Brandon is an instructor at Clovis Community College. Contact her at:
cbrandon@plateautel.net